Determining probable topics of conversation between users of two communication devices

ABSTRACT

A method includes identifying a proposed call between a caller using a first communication device and a recipient using a second communication device, determining probable topics of conversation of the proposed call, and displaying the probable topics of conversation on either the first communication device, the second communication device or both the first and second communication devices before the proposed call is connected.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/104,116 filed on Dec. 12, 2013, which application is incorporated byreference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to communication devices and systems, suchas telephones and communication networks, and method of using thosecommunication devices and systems.

2. Background of the Related Art

Mobile communication devices, such as telephones, are an integral partof everyday life in a modern society. Telephones that are connected to aland line are even on the decline, as people become accustomed to havinga mobile phone with them at all times. The functions and featuresavailable on a mobile phone continue to expand, including apps, a webbrowser, a camera, full physical or virtual keypads, touchscreens, wifiand Bluetooth connectivity, texting and email, and more.

When a first communication device is used to place a call to a secondcommunication device, a telephone number or other identificationassociated with the second communication is entered using a keypad orvoice command of the first communication device, or is identified from alist of contacts stored within the first communication device. Once thecaller has initiated a call with the first communication device, thesecond communication device will typically produce an audible ring toneor vibrate in order to notify a called party (“recipient”) of the call.However, due to the wide range of tasks that a user may perform on theirtelephone, the variety of social contexts that a user may be involved indue to increasing mobility and usability of telephones, and theresulting increase in the amount of time that a user spends on theirtelephone, it is increasingly common that a call will not be answeredpromptly or, if answered, that the purpose of the call cannot besatisfied.

While voicemail is helpful for dealing with missed calls, a voicemessage is inherently a one-way communication from the calling party tothe called party. Accordingly, voicemail frequently does not satisfy thecalling party's need to talk with the called party. For example, in anurgent situation, a calling party may need to obtain information orassistance from the called party. Conversely, if the calling party wantsto have an extended interactive discussion with the called party,voicemail does not provide the interaction with the called party thatmay be needed to efficiently achieve the purpose of the call. Since thecalled party is typically unaware of the purpose of the calling party'scall, it is frequently the result that a first phone call between thetwo parties will only result in a plan to have a second phone call at alater point in time.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present invention provides a method, comprisingidentifying a proposed call between a caller using a first communicationdevice and a recipient using a second communication device, determiningprobable topics of conversation of the proposed call, and displaying theprobable topics of conversation to the first communication device, thesecond communication device or both the first and second communicationdevices before the proposed call is connected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the components of a communication device inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a system including a communication networkenabling communication between a plurality of communication devices,including a mobile communication device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an exemplary compute node (or simply “computer”)that may be utilized as the network management device consistent withsome embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a recipient's communication device having adisplay screen displaying probable topics of conversation associatedwith an incoming call.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a caller's communication device having a displayscreen displaying probable topics of conversation associated with anoutgoing call.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of the present invention provides a method, comprisingidentifying a proposed call between a caller using a first communicationdevice and a recipient using a second communication device, determiningprobable topics of conversation of the proposed call, and displaying theprobable topics of conversation to the first communication device, thesecond communication device or both the first and second communicationdevices before the proposed call is connected.

Identifying a proposed call between a caller using a first communicationdevice and a recipient using a second communication device may takevarious forms. For example, a caller may provide input to the firstcommunication device actually initiating a call to the recipient, butthe input might also be the act of selecting a contact from a contactlist prior to initiating a call to the recipient. The input may, forexample, be entered into the caller's communication device through atouchscreen, voice command, physical keys, or some other user interface.

Embodiments of the present invention include determining probable topicsof conversation of the proposed call. Determining probably topics ofconversation for the caller, which topics may be provided to therecipient, is preferably performed by the first communication device ora network server, since either device may be authorized to monitor thecaller's activity. For example, a probable topic of conversation of acall between the caller and the recipient may be determined by: (1)analyzing a previous conversation between the caller (firstcommunication device) and the recipient (second communication device) toidentify keywords associated with a probable topic of conversation, (2)analyzing the most recent conversations involving the caller (firstcommunication device) to identify keywords associated with a probabletopic of conversation, (3) analyzing most recent conversations betweenthe caller and at least one other person to identify keywords associatedwith a probable topic of conversation, wherein the caller, the recipientand the at least one other person are all members of the same socialgroup, (4) analyzing recent messages exchanged between the caller (firstcommunication device) and the recipient (second communication device) toidentify keywords associated with a probable topic of conversation,wherein the messages are selected from email messages, text message,voicemail messages, and combinations thereof, (5) analyzing onlinecontent recently viewed by the caller using the first communicationdevice to identify keywords associated with a probable topic ofconversation; (6) analyzing recent posts to a social media account ofthe caller to identify keywords associated with a probable topic ofconversation; and (7) analyzing a social media account of the caller toidentify a recent change in relationship status of the caller. A socialgroup may be identified, for example, by common membership in anorganization or online interaction through social media, such asTwitter, Facebook, participation on message boards, gaming or othersubscriptions. Similarly, determining probably topics of conversationfor the recipient, which topics may be provided to the caller, ispreferably performed by the second communication device or a networkserver, since either device may be authorized to monitor the recipient'sactivity.

In a further embodiment, the method may further include displaying anindication of probability associated with each of the probable topics ofconversation. Optionally, the method may increase the probability of aprobable topic of conversation in response to detecting that theprobable topic of conversation has experienced an increase in prevalenceon a predetermined news website or is trending higher on online socialmedia. In another option, the method may increase the probability of aprobable topic of conversation as a function of an amount of time thecaller has viewed online content regarding the probably topic or as afunction of the number of websites recently viewed that contain contentregarding the same probable topic of conversation. Still further, theprobability associated with each of the probable topics of conversationmay be based upon a factor selected from a number of calls involving thecaller within a recent time frame on the probable topic, a number ofsocial media posts or blog entries made by the caller on the probabletopic, an amount of time the caller has spent viewing online contentregarding the probable topic, a number of recent updates from a newswebsite on the probable topic, and combinations thereof. A preferreddisplay of the probable topics may be listed or ranked in order ofincreasing or decreasing probability associated with each of theprobable topics of conversation.

A still further embodiment of the method further includes determiningthe identity of a person, other than the recipient, in proximity toeither or both of the communication devices. The method may thendetermine which of the probable topics of conversation are to be avoidedbased on the identity of the person in proximity to the communicationdevice, and display the probable topics of conversation to the otherparty on their communication device along with an indication of which ofthe probable topics of conversation are to be avoided.

The identity of a person, other than the user, in proximity to thecommunication device may be determined in various ways including,without limitation, (1) using a camera on the communication device tocapture an image and analyzing the image using a facial recognitionsoftware module to identify the person from among a stored contact list(2) using a microphone on the communication device to capture sounds andanalyzing the sounds using a voice recognition software module toidentify the person from among a stored contact list, (3) using awireless receiver on the communication device to detect anothercommunication device in proximity of the communication device anddetermine the identity of a person whose communication device isdetected by the wireless receiver, or (4) combinations thereof. Thedetermination of which of the probable topics of conversation are to beavoided may be made by the communication device or a network server withaccess to the foregoing information collected by the communicationdevice.

The probable topics of conversation that are to be avoided based on theidentity of the person in proximity to the communication device may bedetermined in various way. Non-limiting examples of this determinationinclude: (1) determining whether the person has a negative sentimentabout each of the probable topics of conversation and identifying theprobable topics of conversation for which the person has been determinedto have a negative sentiment, (2) determining whether the identifiedpeople are younger than a predetermined age restriction for the probabletopics, (3) determining whether the recipient is using a speakerphone,and (4) combinations thereof. In one option, negative sentiment isidentified by analyzing previous conversations with the person or socialmedia content posted by the person.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a computer programproduct including computer readable program code embodied on a computerreadable storage medium. The computer program product comprises computerreadable program code for identifying a proposed call between a callerusing a first communication device and a recipient using a secondcommunication device , computer readable program code for determiningprobable topics of conversation of the proposed call, and computerreadable program code for displaying the probable topics of conversationto the first communication device, the second communication device orboth the first and second communication devices before the proposed callis connected.

The foregoing computer program product may further include computerreadable program code for implementing or initiating any one or moreaspects of the methods described herein. Accordingly, a separatedescription of the methods will not be duplicated in the context of acomputer program product.

It should be recognized that any of the embodiments of the method orcomputer program product may cover both a first situation where thefirst communication device initiates a call to the second communicationdevice and a second situation where the second communication deviceinitiates a call to the first communication device. In other words, theprobable topics of conversation of a recipient communication device maybe provided to the calling communication device prior to connecting acall there between, the probable topics of conversation of the callingcommunication device may be provided to the recipient communicationdevice prior to connecting a call there between, or both the recipientand calling communication devices may provide their probable topics ofconversation to the other of the communication devices prior toconnecting a call there between. Accordingly, either of the caller orrecipient, or both the caller and the recipient, (via their respectivecommunication devices) may have the benefit of the other's probabletopics of conversation before the call is connected. It should befurther recognized that either of the caller or recipient, or both thecaller and the recipient, (via their respective communication devices)may use the components and sensors of the communication devices tocollect data regarding ambient conditions for use in determining aprobable topics of conversation in accordance with various embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the components in one example of acommunication device 10, such as a smart phone, capable of implementingembodiments of the present invention. The block diagram may berepresentative of both a first communication device and a secondcommunication device in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent invention. The communication device 10 may include a processor12, memory 14, a battery 16, a universal serial bus (USB) port 18, acamera 28, and an audio codec 20 coupled to a speaker 22, a microphone24, and an earphone jack 26. The communication device 10 may furtherinclude a touchscreen controller 30 which provides a graphical output tothe display device 32 and an input from a touch input device 34.Collectively, the display device 32 and touch input device 34 may bereferred to as a touchscreen.

The communication device 10 may also include a Wi-Fi and/or Bluetoothtransceiver 40 and corresponding antenna 42 allowing the device tocommunicate with a Bluetooth device 52 or a Wi-Fi router 54, a mobilecommunication transceiver 44 and corresponding antenna 46 allowing thedevice to communicate over a mobile/cellular network 58, and a globalpositioning system (GPS) transceiver 48 and corresponding antenna 50allowing the device to obtain signals from a global positioning systemor satellites 60. In a non-limiting example, the Wi-Fi router 54 and themobile/cellular network 58 may be connected to a global communicationsnetwork 56, such as the Internet. Furthermore, mobile/cellular network58 may include or access a server for the purpose of storing callconversation data or voice/facial recognition module(s) for thecommunication device 10. When the communication device 10 has memory 14with sufficient capacity, it may be preferable to include any or all ofthese data storage and logic functions within the communication deviceitself. As shown, the memory 14 stores a voice and/or facial recognitionmodule 62, historical call conversation data 64, probable topic ofconversation logic 66, and a Contacts list 68 with optional voice dataand image data associated with one or more of the contacts in the listto facilitate voice recognition and facial recognition.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a system 70 including a communication network 58enabling communication between a plurality of communication devices,such as a telephone 72 coupled to a land line and multiple mobiletelephones 10. The communication network 58 may be managed by a networkmanagement device 100. The network management device 100 may beresponsible for establishing connections between communications devices,and may also provide one or more services to the communications devices.For example, although the methods of the invention may be implementedwithin the communication devices 10, 72 it is also possible to implementone or more steps of the methods or one or more functions of thecomputer program code of the present invention in the network managementdevice 100. In one non-limiting example, the network management device100 may run a voice/facial recognition module 62, store historical callconversation data 64.

The communication network 58 may also allow communication with a globalcommunications network 56, such as the Internet. Accordingly, a socialmedia web server 74 may be accessed by the communication devices 10, ormay be accessed by a personal computer 76. A given user may own andcontrol a communication device 10 and a personal computer 76, and mayaccess the social media web server 74 from either device. Accordingly,the user's social media account may be accessed using either device 10,76. A history of social media interaction, or even email, blogging orother online activity, may be maintained on the individual devices 10,76, on the social media web server 74 or one or more similar servers.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an exemplary compute node or server (or simply“computer”) 100 that may be utilized as the network management deviceconsistent with embodiments of the present invention. Note that some orall of the exemplary architecture, including both depicted hardware andsoftware, shown for and within computer 100 may be implemented in theserver or network management device 100 as shown in FIGS. 1-2. Thecomputer 100 is also illustrative of a social media web server 74 orother server that may implement one or more feature of the presentinvention.

The computer 100 includes a processor unit 104 that is coupled to asystem bus 106. Processor unit 104 may utilize one or more processors,each of which has one or more processor cores. A video adapter 108,which drives/supports a display 110, is also coupled to the system bus106. The system bus 106 is coupled via a bus bridge 112 to aninput/output (I/O) bus 114. An I/O interface 116 is coupled to I/0 bus114. I/O interface 116 affords communication with various I/O devices,including a keyboard 118, a mouse 120, a media tray 122 (which mayinclude storage devices such as CD-ROM drives, multi-media interfaces,etc.), a printer 124, and USB port(s) 126. While the format of the portsconnected to I/0 interface 116 may be any known to those skilled in theart of computer architecture, in a preferred embodiment some or all ofthese ports are universal serial bus (USB) ports. As depicted, thecomputer 100 is able to communicate over a network 58 using a networkinterface 130. The network 58 may be an external network such as thecellular network or global communication network 56, and perhaps also aninternal network such as an Ethernet or a virtual private network (VPN).

A hard drive interface 132 is also coupled to system bus 106. Hard driveinterface 132 interfaces with a hard drive 134. In a preferredembodiment, hard drive 134 populates a system memory 136, which is alsocoupled to system bus 106. System memory is defined as a lowest level ofvolatile memory in computer 100. This volatile memory includesadditional higher levels of volatile memory (not shown), including, butnot limited to, cache memory, registers and buffers. Data that populatessystem memory 136 includes computer 100's operating system (OS) 138 andapplication programs 144.

The operating system 138 includes a shell 140, for providing transparentuser access to resources such as application programs 144. Generally,shell 140 is a program that provides an interpreter and an interfacebetween the user and the operating system. More specifically, shell 140executes commands that are entered into a command line user interface orfrom a file. Thus, shell 140, also called a command processor, isgenerally the highest level of the operating system software hierarchyand serves as a command interpreter. The shell provides a system prompt,interprets commands entered by keyboard, mouse, or other user inputmedia, and sends the interpreted command(s) to the appropriate lowerlevels of the operating system (e.g., a kernel 142) for processing. Notethat while shell 140 is a text-based, line-oriented user interface, thepresent invention will equally well support other user interface modes,such as graphical, voice, gestural, etc.

As depicted, OS 138 also includes a kernel 142, which includes lowerlevels of functionality for the OS 138, including providing essentialservices required by other parts of OS 138 and application programs 144,including memory management, process and task management, diskmanagement, and mouse and keyboard management. Application programs 144in the system memory of computer 100 may include various programs andmodules for implementing the methods described herein, such as the voiceand/or facial recognition module 62, historical call conversation data64, and/or probable topic of conversation logic 66.

The hardware elements depicted in computer 100 are not intended to beexhaustive, but rather are representative components suitable to performthe processes of the present invention. For instance, computer 100 mayinclude alternate memory storage devices such as magnetic cassettes,digital versatile disks (DVDs), Bernoulli cartridges, and the like.These and other variations are intended to be within the spirit andscope of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a recipient's communication device 10 (“secondcommunication device”) having a display screen 32 displaying “ProbableTopics” of conversation associated with an incoming call. After a callerhas identified a recipient of a proposed call, the recipient'scommunication device 10 displays the Probable Topics of conversation ofthe display screen 32. As shown, the display shows that there is anincoming call, identifies the caller by name (i.e., from a Contacts listor caller ID), includes buttons for answering or ignoring the call, andprovides a “Probable Topics” list for the proposed call. The probabletopics are provided along with a probability associated with eachprobable topic, and are ranked in order of decreasing probability (i.e.,from highest probability to lowest probability).

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a caller's communication device 10 (“firstcommunication device”) having a display screen 32 displaying a “TopicAvailability” list which shows each of probable topics of conversationassociated with an outgoing call. While the caller may not benefit froma mere list of probable topics that they (the caller) might want todiscuss, the list of “Topic Availability” includes an indication ofwhich probable topics of conversation the recipient may be available todiscuss and those that should be avoided. As shown, the TopicAvailability list includes each of the Probable Topics, but indicatesthat the topics of “Recent Breakup” and “Political Rally” should beavoided at this time, whereas the recipient may be available to discussthe topics of “New Car” and “Gun Control”. The display may furtherindicate which of the probable topics of conversation are favored fordiscussion, which of the probable topics of conversation should beavoided, which of the probable topics are tentatively acceptable fordiscussion, and combinations thereof.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method 150 in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention. In step 152, the method include identifying aproposed call between a caller using a first communication device and arecipient using a second communication device. In step 154, the methoddetermines probable topics of conversation of the proposed call. In step156, the probable topics of conversation are displayed on either thefirst communication device, the second communication device or both thefirst and second communication devices before the proposed call isconnected.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing. Computer program code for carrying out operations foraspects of the present invention may be written in any combination ofone or more programming languages, including an object orientedprogramming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The program codemay execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user'scomputer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user'scomputer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remotecomputer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may beconnected to the user's computer through any type of network, includinga local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or theconnection may be made to an external computer (for example, through theInternet using an Internet Service Provider).

Aspects of the present invention may be described with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, and/or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components and/or groups, but do not preclude the presence or additionof one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof. The terms “preferably,” “preferred,”“prefer,” “optionally,” “may,” and similar terms are used to indicatethat an item, condition or step being referred to is an optional (notrequired) feature of the invention.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or steps plus function elements in the claims below are intendedto include any structure, material, or act for performing the functionin combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but it is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to explain the principlesof the invention and the practical application, and to enable others ofordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for variousembodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particularuse contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: identifying a proposed callbetween a caller using a first communication device and a recipientusing a second communication device; determining probable topics ofconversation of the proposed call; and displaying the probable topics ofconversation on either the first communication device, the secondcommunication device or both the first and second communication devicesbefore the proposed call is connected.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereindisplaying the probable topics of conversation includes indicating whichof the probable topics of conversation are favored for discussion, whichof the probable topics of conversation should be avoided, or which ofthe probable topics are tentatively acceptable for discussion.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, where determining a probable topic of conversation ofthe proposed call includes analyzing a previous conversation between thecaller using the first communication device and the recipient using thesecond communication device to identify keywords associated with aprobable topic of conversation.
 4. The method of claim 1, wheredetermining a probable topic of conversation of the proposed callincludes analyzing the most recent conversations involving the callerusing the first communication device to identify keywords associatedwith a probable topic of conversation.
 5. The method of claim 4,increasing the probability of a probable topic of conversation inresponse to detecting if the probable topic of conversation has seen anincrease in prevalence on news websites or trending higher on onlinesocial media.
 6. The method of claim 1, where determining a probabletopic of conversation of the proposed call includes analyzing mostrecent conversations between the caller using the first communicationdevice and at least one other person to identify keywords associatedwith a probable topic of conversation, wherein the caller, the recipientand the at least one other person are all members of the same socialgroup.
 7. The method of claim 1, where determining a probable topic ofconversation of the proposed call includes analyzing recent messagesexchanged between the caller using the first communication device andthe recipient using the second communication device to identify keywordsassociated with a probable topic of conversation, wherein the messagesare selected from email messages, text message, voicemail messages, andcombinations thereof.
 8. The method of claim 1, where determining aprobable topic of conversation of the proposed call includes analyzingcontent recently viewed by the caller using the first communicationdevice to identify keywords associated with a probable topic ofconversation.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein a probability associatedwith a probable topic of conversation increases with an amount of timethe caller uses the first communication device to view the content orthe number of web sites recently viewed that contain about the sameprobable topic of conversation.
 10. The method of claim 1, wheredetermining a probable topic of conversation of the proposed callincludes analyzing recent posts to social media by the caller using thefirst communication device to identify keywords associated with aprobable topic of conversation.
 11. The method of claim 1, wheredetermining a probable topic of conversation of the proposed callincludes analyzing social media to identify a recent change inrelationship status of the caller.
 12. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: displaying an indication of probability associated with eachof the probable topics of conversation.
 13. The method of claim 12,wherein the probability associated with each of the probable topics ofconversation is based upon a factor selected from a number of callsinvolving the caller within a recent time frame on the probable topic, anumber of social media posts or blog entries of the caller on theprobable topic, an amount of time the caller has spent viewing onlinecontent on the probable topic, a number of recent updates from a newswebsite on the probable topic, and combinations thereof.
 14. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: determining the identity of a person,other than the recipient, in proximity to the second communicationdevice; determining which of the probable topics of conversation are tobe avoided based on the identity of the person in proximity to thesecond communication device; and display the probable topics ofconversation to the caller on the first communication device along withan indication of which of the probable topics of conversation are to beavoided.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the second communicationdevice or a network server determine which of the probable topics ofconversation are to be avoided.
 16. The method of claim 14, whereindetermining the identity of a person, other than the recipient, inproximity to the second communication device includes: using a camera onthe second communication device to capture an image and analyzing theimage using a facial recognition software module to identify the personfrom among a stored contact list; using a microphone on the secondcommunication device to capture sounds and analyzing the sounds using avoice recognition software module to identify the person from among astored contact list; or using a wireless receiver on the secondcommunication device to detect another communication device in proximityof the second communication device and determine the identity of aperson whose communication device is detected by the wireless receiver.17. The method of claim 15, wherein determining which of the probabletopics of conversation are to be avoided based on the identity of theperson in proximity to the second communication device includesdetermining whether the person has a negative sentiment about each ofthe probable topics of conversation and identifying the probable topicsof conversation for which the person has been determined to have anegative sentiment.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein negativesentiment is identified by analyzing previous conversations with theperson or social media content posted by the person.
 19. The method ofclaim 14, wherein determining which of the probable topics ofconversation are to be avoided based on the identity of the person inproximity to the second communication device includes determiningwhether the identified people are younger than a predetermined agerestriction for the probable topics.
 20. The method of claim 14, whereindetermining which of the probable topics of conversation are to beavoided based on the identity of the person in proximity to the secondcommunication device includes determining whether the recipient is usinga speakerphone.